As well as subs and other weapons this blog covers major transport mishaps. jbmoore from Texas kindly drew my attention to the video, here and above, concerning the tragic Australian Gold Coast, Queensland, Helicopter Collision of Jan 2, 2023.
The video by California pilot/air safety analyst Juan Browne, provides vastly more detail than has been provided by the Australian mainstream media to Australians.
Particularly note:regarding the [helicopter = "helo"] landing patterns and take-off patterns"
4:40 both helos were in respective pilot "blind spots" (in part caused by new, unfamiliar seating arrangements, in the NEW helos the pilots were probably getting used to)
5:57 a view that was screened on Aus media
8:07 the blind spot problem is well known in the helo industry generally
Both helos seemed to be flying too low (eg. below the height of the tallest buildings around them) for "ADSB" navigation network which could have alerted air traffic controllers and the pilots to the oncoming crash.
9:30 did the helo flights, every 5-10 minutes, represent too high a number of air movements, leading to lapses in inter-helicopter communication, lower "situational awareness" and too high a workload for the pilots?
10:00 Juan Browne raises many other questions and issues.
Hi Pete, its been a while since I posted here. Hope you're doing well in the new year!
ReplyDeleteThought I'd share news regarding what seems to be some sensible noises being made here in India with regard to the procurement of 6 additional diesel boats: It appears the Navy is finally looking at a repeat order of 6 more Kalvari-class (French Scorpene) boats, but fitted with the indigenous MAREEM PAFC-based AIP system (for which Naval Group has signaled its intention to assist in incorporating into the Scorpene design), instead of the much-delayed Project-75I program.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-navy-may-repeat-kalveri-class-submarine-order-101673416531671.html
As you might recall, I had voiced my opinions on your blog a while ago, in support of exactly this approach. I still believe its the best way forward to order 6 additional Scorpenes to fill interim numbers as old hulls retire, and work on the SSN program for the long-term. I'm glad there are people within the IN that hold a more or less similar view of things.
Cheers
Hi Gessler @Jan 11, 2023, 11:46:00 PM
ReplyDeleteThanks. Happy New Year to you too.
Looking at your points in turn:
"It appears the Navy is finally looking at a repeat order of 6 more Kalvari-class (French Scorpene) boats".
I say GOOD! About time. As India already has a Kalvari production line https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalvari-class_submarine_(2015)#Ships_of_the_class additional Kalvaris
then these "Kalvari Batch 2s" can be made more quickly and enjoy all the cost savings of familiar training, including simulators, common spare parts and avoidance of a whole new set of Project Contractural Milestones with the French.
However I fear
1. the "Make in India" crowd, sundry politicians and officials will give what would be "Kalvari Batch 2s" a whole new project name with a new set of ambitions, problems and costs ):
particularly dancing around:
2. "fitted with the indigenous MAREEM PAFC-based AIP system (for which Naval Group has signaled its intention to assist in incorporating into the Scorpene design)"
this rings alarm bells concerning illogical embuggerment.
Hopefully https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/newsindia/indian-navy-may-repeat-kalveri-class-submarine-order/ar-AA16cNyW when it says the AIP [I would posit DRDO's, Naval Group's 2nd/3rd Generation or some combination] "can be later retrofitted into Kalveri class submarines during mid-term life upgrade."
The retrofitting concept holds hope the Kalvari Batch 2s won't be embuggered by India's (and I admit Australia's) tendency to snatch defeat from the jaws of SSK victory.
Let it not be forgot that what is now Naval Group successfully retrofitted MESMA AIP into Pakistan's Agosta 90Bs eg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNS_Khalid .
Cheers Pete